Quinoa and Butternut Squash Salad

Simple, hearty and healthy, Quinoa and Butternut Squash Salad with spinach, cranberries and toasted sesame seeds is a delicious side or vegetarian meal.

The colors are beautiful, making it a perfect dish for a buffet table, holiday (including Passover) or dinner party. Get creative or use what you have on hand.

The recipe serves 4 good size main portions, but if you are serving the salad with a substantial protein, it can be stretched to 6.

Try serving the quinoa butternut squash salad with maple-balsamic rainbow trout, grilled BBQ chicken, salmon stuffed with lemon ricotta or sous vide flank steak.  Or add some sliced grilled marinated chicken  or crispy tofu cubes on top to make it a more substantial main dish. Here is a recipe on how to bake or pan fry tofu cubes (ignore the peanut sauce part).

Tailor To Your Taste

• Vegetables:
  • Substitute sweet potatoes for the squash. They will have more calories and carbs, but higher fiber and protein.
  • Add red peppers to roast along with the butternut squash.
  • Try chopped kale instead of baby spinach. Just remove ribs, chop and massage to soften. A peppery arugula would work well too.
• Seasonings:
  • Sprinkle cinnamon and/or cumin on the squash before roasting.
  • Use basil or rosemary instead of thyme.
• Garnishes:
  • Try adding goat cheese , halved cherry tomatoes, chopped green onions or chives
  • Feel free to use any nuts or seeds for crunch instead of sesame seeds. Roasted pecans, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, pepitas are all good choices.
  • Increase the balsamic vinegar (good quality) or drizzle extra maple syrup, honey or balsamic reduction.
  • Pass with lemon wedges

Shortcut

• Buy pre-peeled and pre-cut butternut squash. I do.
• Buy pre-washed and dried baby spinach.

Make Ahead Quinoa Butternut Squash Salad

• One nice thing about this salad it that it can be made ahead, earlier in the day.  Just let it sit on the counter while the flavors blend and serve it when you’re ready.

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4.82 from 11 votes

Quinoa and Glazed Butternut Squash Salad

Simple, hearty and healthy, Quinoa and Glazed Butternut Squash salad with spinach, cranberries and toasted sesame seeds is a delicious vegetarian main dish or side.

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time45 mins

Course: Main Vegetarian dish, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6 sides (or 4 mains)

1x2x3x

Author: Cheryl

Ingredients

Butternut squash

• 3/4 lb butternut squash, peeled, cut in 1 inch chunks (about 400g)
• 1/2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)

Quinoa

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 2/3 cup water with 1/2 tsp salt added

Dressing

• 2 tbsp olive oil (or more if needed)
• 1 tbsp good balsamic vinegar (or more to taste)
• salt and pepper to taste

Other salad ingredients

• 3 cups fresh baby spinach (about 3 large handfuls)
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries (can substitute raisins or dried currants)
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds Note 1
• Optional garnishes: chopped roasted nuts, crumbled goat cheese, chopped green onions or chives, halved cherry tomatoes, drizzle of honey or maple syrup, squeeze of lemon, balsamic reduction drizzle

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425F. Line a pan with parchment. Or use foil and spray it with oil.
• ROAST BUTTERNUT SQUASH: Toss butternut squash with oil, maple syrup, salt and pepper in a bowl. Place squash in single layer on pan. (Set bowl aside to mix assembled salad later). Roast squash for 20-30 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized, tossing or flipping over half way through. Lately, I've been cranking the heat to 450F for the last 5-10 minutes to brown the squash more. Remove from oven and sprinkle with thyme.
• MAKE QUINOA: (while squash is roasting). Rinse quinoa in a mesh strainer. Place in medium pot with 1 2/3 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to simmer. Cook for 15 minutes. Turn off heat and let it sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. and let the quinoa cool a bit. Add spinach to the warm quinoa and mix. Spinach will wilt. If you prefer to leave the spinach more crisp, let quinoa cool a bit first.
• MAKE DRESSING: Put all dressing ingredients in a cup. Whisk to blend.
• ASSEMBLE AND SERVE: In large bowl, combine quinoa-spinach mixture, cranberries, butternut squash and dressing. Gently mix together. Taste and adjust seasonings. Scoop into serving bowl. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and other optional garnishes as desired.  Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

To Toast Sesame Seeds: Place seeds in a dry pan over medium heat. Shake pan every minute or two for 4-5 minutes until lightly browned. Let cool. 

Make Ahead: This salad can be made ahead, earlier in the day.  Just let it sit on the counter while the flavors blend and serve it when you're ready.

 

Nutrition value estimates do not include optional garnishes. 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Quinoa and Glazed Butternut Squash Salad

Amount Per Serving

Calories 216 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 408mg18%

Potassium 456mg13%

Carbohydrates 32g11%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 5g10%

Vitamin A 7489IU150%

Vitamin C 18mg22%

Calcium 77mg8%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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This recipe, originally published in 2016, has been updated with new information and images.